Gary Smith Death: Woman Bailed On Suspicion Of Manslaughter

A woman arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after a man drowned in a canal has been released on bail, police said today.

Gary Smith, 45, died in hospital on Friday night two hours after he was rescued from the Kennet and Avon canal in Devizes, Wiltshire.

Police were called at about 8pm to reports of the man in the water near lock 40.

The ambulance service treated Mr Smith and he was taken to Great Western Hospital in Swindon by air ambulance where he died at 10.10pm.

A 47-year-old woman was arrested at the scene on suspicion of manslaughter and taken to Melksham police station.

She has since been released on bail until May pending further inquiries, Wiltshire Police said.
It is believed that the man and woman had been drinking in and around Devizes from about 2pm onwards.

During the late afternoon they were seen alongside the canal at Caen Hill.

Detectives continue to appeal for anyone who may have been in the area at the time of the incident and may have seen what happened.

Detective Chief Inspector Ian Saunders said: "We have had a good response from the public so far but we continue to appeal to anyone - dog walkers, runners, cyclists or local residents - who may have seen something between the hours of 7pm and 8pm.

"We would still like to hear from a man who was seen walking along the tow path between 7.30pm and 8pm and who was seen waving at another man on a quad bike.
"If you saw the man and woman by the canal, witnessed the incident or have any information that you think would assist police, please get in touch."
A post-mortem examination found that Mr Smith died from drowning.